WINTER MEETING. 243 



There are springs at the base of the hills surrounding the basin. Can 

 I ditch this ground and make a garden of it that I can irrigate ? 



Dr. Porter — I would say from the description that Mr. Gilbert has 

 a place for a fine garden. 



J. M. Smith, of Green Bay, Wis., told me six years ago that he 

 would not conduct a truck farm without means of irrigation. When a 

 man can irrigate, he knows just exactly what he can depend on, and 

 the results are certain. 



J. C. Evans — As to spraying, my experience is little ; my observa- 

 tion very extensive. I have been watching 15 years and I don't believe 

 there is a man in the United States that can tell you when, what and 

 how to spray. Different results from the same source are the rule. 

 You have just to keep on experimenting as best you can. Mr. Gilbert 

 destroyed $1000 worth of peaches by doing just exactly as he had 

 been instructed by the Department of Agriculture at Washington. 



Mr. Blake — They had this subject up in Illinois. There is differ- 

 ence in the strength of materials. They agreed to have some one to 

 bring these poisons and test them so they would know juet what 

 strength they were, and not to bring from Tom, Dick and Harry. It 

 struck me that it was a good point. What is the sum total of our in- 

 vestigation? It is failure and disaster; but we must still go along as 

 best we can. 



Dr. Porter — You can take two specimens of poison, and they will 

 not analyze the same. The manufacturers cater to the demand for 

 cheapness. An article of 90% purity cannot be sold as cheaply as one 

 of 10%. One will burn the leaves and the other will have no more 

 effect than water. 



I want to speak as director of the State Experiment station. If 

 you don't inform us of your wants, we have got to use our best judg- 

 ment of what we think best. We want to work in the lines in which 

 we can be of the most service to you. We have no theory at ihe 

 Station. We are after truth. If truth is contrary to our preconceived 

 ideas, so much the worse for the theory. You must not blame us if 

 you don't call on us for help. I will analyze one-half ounce of Paris 

 green for any fruit-grower who will send it, so that you may know the 

 strength of your material. 



The Board of Curators are asking for advice. This Experiment 

 station don't cost the farmers one cent. It comes from the treasury 

 of the United States. It is so much money paid to the State of Mis- 

 souri for your benefit, but we can't use it for buildings. It was pre- 

 sumed that the State would furnish the necessary buildings and the 

 lands. The lands were donated and cost no one a cent. Four years 



